Windows 2008 not playing nice with Central Admin
This is one for your "that is odd" file.
Just finished installing MOSS 2007 on a fresh w2k8 server with SQL 2008. All 64 bit. I am hoping to build a dedicated production server for http://www.sharepoint911.com instead of the current prod, test, dev, try crazy stuff server we have. J
After I finished installing I ran configuration wizard and created a new farm successfully. When config wizard finished it automatically launched Central Admin and all was well. I started bouncing around starting services and such. The home page of central admin looked something like:
Notice those nice links for Services on server or Incoming mail. Just as things should be.
Then I closed the browser and opened it again and manually typed in the URL for central admin. Now look at the screen shot and the missing links in the Topology and Services section.
Over on the Application Management tab Create a web application is missing. Why?
Well some people have learned (the hard way) if you are not a local administrator on the central admin server you have the same missing links but since I was logged in as the same user that wasn't my issue. After about 10 minutes of beating my head on the table I did find the difference. When you go to Start > All Programs > Microsoft Office Server > SharePoint 3.0 Central Administration it is actually running configuration wizard with the showcentraladmin parameter. Through the magic that is SharePoint this command is also setting Internet Explorers protected mode to Off. With it Off you get all of the links. When you navigate by typing in the URL to Central Admin in IE protected mode is On by default for the Local Intranet zone. With it On no links for you.
You want even stranger. When I open IE on my Vista desktop and navigate to central admin (on the remote server) by default the site opens in the Internet Zone with Protected Mode On and I still get all the proper links.
Hope this saves someone. On a bright note it has inspired my next post.
Shane – SharePoint Consulting